Eighth-grader Andres Madera had no trouble attracting customers. By the end of the expo, he had sold all 350 tamales he brought to the school.

“I learned selling things is hard, and managing a business takes a very long time,” he said.

Seventh-grader Nash Greeven sold homemade toffee for $2.50 and cranberry sauce for $3. Both sold well, but Nash said he learned that he probably could have moved more product if he had advertised with a bigger sign.

Student Alexander Kriksciun made T-shirts with school-related jokes that he admits were pretty corny. The young 14-year-old entrepreneur still made a profit, however, breaking even after selling six and ending the day with 15 shirts sold at $5.